Major MACF Grant to Pay Off Full Steam Ahead Building Years Early

Posted: Nov 20 2025

The Minot Area Community Foundation has awarded a total of $135,000 to Full STEAM Ahead to support the organization’s recent building purchase, an investment that will allow the nonprofit to pay off its mortgage years ahead of schedule. The full amount was celebrated during a ceremonial check presentation held this week at the new building, located at 1400 5th St SW in Minot.

This total includes the previously announced $50,000 grant from MACF’s Community Impact Fund, along with two significant gifts from private donors, bringing the overall support to $135,000. Together, these contributions strengthen Full STEAM Ahead’s long-term stability and expand its capacity to serve youth through hands-on STEAM learning.

"Full STEAM Ahead is doing incredible work to spark creativity, curiosity, and innovation in young minds,” said Jason Zimmerman, President of the Minot Area Community Foundation. “By helping secure their permanent home, we are ensuring this important programming continues for generations. This combined gift, made possible through donor partnerships and our Community Impact Fund, is a great example of what philanthropy can achieve in our community.”

Earlier this fall, Full STEAM Ahead launched its “Gearing Up for the Future” effort to secure a permanent home and grow its programming. The $135,000 in support allows the organization to step into this next chapter with financial stability, freeing up resources to invest in new and expanded educational offerings.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown to Full STEAM Ahead,” said Ali Auch, Executive Director. “This level of support is truly transformational. Paying off our building early gives us longterm security and allows us to invest deeply in programming that empowers youth to explore, create, and innovate. We are honored by the trust this gift represents.”